fabric

noun

fab·​ric ˈfa-brik 

1

a

: structure, building

b

: underlying structure : framework

the fabric of society

2

: an act of constructing : erection

specifically : the construction and maintenance of a church building

3

a

: structural plan or style of construction

b

: texture, quality

—used chiefly of textiles

c

: the arrangement of physical components (as of soil) in relation to each other

4

a

: cloth sense 1a

b

: a material that resembles cloth

5

: the appearance or pattern produced by the shapes and arrangement of the crystal grains in a rock

Synonyms of fabric

• cloth
• textile

Examples of fabric in a Sentence

The curtains are made of expensive fabric.

scarves made of woven fabrics

the fabric of the community

Recent Examples on the Web

The rooms In darker hues with lots of hardwood and colorful fabrics, the rooms here don’t fall into your standard contemporary look. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 12 May 2026

In real life, Roth watched the world adapt to the pandemic and felt inspired to write about how panic threads itself into the fabric of society. —Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 11 May 2026

The pleated fabric looks designer, and with the right statement accessories, like a bangle or necklace, this is a stylish look for an evening out during your travels. —Nneya Richards, Travel + Leisure, 11 May 2026

Her garment, a one-piece tracksuit made of a French terry fabric by Alexander McQueen, dresses athleisure one step up with horizontal yellow accents across the chest and ruching up the sleeves. —Kaio Cesar, Los Angeles Times, 11 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Middle French & Medieval Latin; Middle French fabrique "act of construction, something created or constructed, the created world, structure, construction and maintenance of a church," borrowed from Medieval Latin fabrica, going back to Latin, "process of making something, craft, art, workshop," noun derivative from *fabricus "of a craftsman," from fabr-, faber "craftsman, smith" (perhaps going back to dialectal Indo-European *d^hab^h-r- —perhaps of non-Indo-European origin— whence also Armenian darbin "smith," from *d^hab^h-r-sneh₂) + -icus -ic entry 1

Note: The Latin derivative fabrica may have been shortened from fabrica ars, perhaps literally "smith's craft, smith's place of work." The base *d^hab^h-r- has been compared with Gothic gadaban "to happen, be suitable" and a host of related words (see daft), though the semantic link is tenuous.

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing fabric

• fabric softener

Kids Definition

fabric

noun

fab·​ric ˈfab-rik 

1

: the basic structure

the fabric of society

2

: cloth sense 1